Page 79 of The Ice Sisters

Her pulse jumped as he dragged her outside and locked Mazie inside the building which she realized was an old, abandoned chicken house.

Her breath lodged in her chest as he shoved her toward his van. He pushed her inside and she was forced to let him buckle her seatbelt. She almost laughed at the irony. He was using seatbelts for safety while his sinister intentions were clear.

She had to play along. In town, maybe she could warn Loretta and get help.

“If you want the girls to live, keep your mouth shut,” he growled as he started the engine.

His dark gray eyes burned with a menacing look. Something about them seemed familiar and made chills ripple through her. Had she met this man before?

NINETY-SEVEN

Mazie had screamed so much her throat hurt. She jerked her arm to try to free herself. With her unbound hand, she tore at the rope around her wrist until her fingers bled.

Why had that awful man snatched her? And where were Mama and Ms. Barbara?

Ms. Barbara had hugged her in the night and promised everything would be all right. But now she was gone, too. And what about her mama?

And Taylor and Heidi. She’d heard whispers in town that they’d been killed.

Tears trickled down her cheeks. She was so scared she felt like she was going to pee her pants. She crossed her legs to hold it back.

“Mama, please get better and come find me.”

But even as she whispered the words, she was afraid it was too late. That the sickness had taken Mama to heaven just like it had her grandma last year.

That Mama was never coming back.

And that the mean man was going to kill her.

NINETY-EIGHT

EMERALD FALLS

Loretta had to persuade her husband to leave town and fast. She’d tried before, but he thought she was just paranoid. But she knew different.

Not only were Taylor and Heidi dead and Claire missing, but she’d heard on the news that Mazie had been kidnapped. Everyone in town was talking about it and she was worried sick about Ivy.

Michael didn’t understand and he wouldn’t unless she told him everything.

She took a breath and grabbed Ivy’s hand as she and Michael returned from the craft shop where they’d stopped to choose a new ornament to decorate for the tree this year. Meanwhile, she tried to call Barb but now she wasn’t answering.

Panic made it hard to breathe.

“Mommy,” Ivy called as they returned. “We picked out a reindeer ornament.”

“That’s great,” Loretta said, her voice so high pitched and fake it brought an odd look from her husband. “But I think we need to go. Another storm is coming and we don’t want to be driving on icy roads.”

Michael’s brows grew pinched. “Honey, that storm isn’t coming until tomorrow. Let’s enjoy the rest of the day.”

“I really think we need to leave. I’m not feeling well,” she lied.

“Then why don’t you rest at the B&B and Ivy and I will enjoy the festival?” Michael suggested.

The concern in his husky voice triggered more guilt for her lies.

“Yeah, Mommy, I wanna dress up in the photo booth.”

Nerves gathered in Loretta’s stomach.

---